Campaign of the Month:
June 2012

Crimson Skies

Beneath the Orcish Hall

Caught Between an Orc and a Harrowed Place

Uneventful trek from Laedersburg to the "Orcish Hall". The ruined village is a tumbled ruin. It was crudely built, even in its prime. Two orcs patrolled watch outside. Dorak and I tried to sneak up on them, but they saw us coming. One fled underground, we killed the other. The orc fled into a crude cellar. We followed, but by the time we all got down into the hole, the orc was gone.
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The passageways beneath the old village were haunted. Undead inhabited the place. We fought ghouls and skeletons, as well as a few zombies. I suspect the zombies were animated by the half-orc we later encountered. I think he animated several of his fallen company to stand watch and slow our progress. He must have been alerted to our presence by the guard I let escape. It was obvious his comrades fell to a group of ghouls. They were freshly animated.

Again, I report a dissension among the team. Father Calen, in my opinion the strongest candidate to lead the team, is quite strongly opinionated against Iz’Alma and her strange ways. He was not altogether unprovoked. She conjured an undead skeleton, and bid it engage a set of ghouls we dispatched. Calen quarreled with her. I am not sure how to take this, other than what she did was not disruptive to the mission or the project.

Later, we came upon some live orcs and an ogre. They were in combat with some more zombies. Their half-orc leader got away with what I assume is that artifact, the Heart of Grakis. Its the thingt Falko told us about. The object that was attracting the orcs.

During this fight it was all I could do to keep my composure as Father Calen issued orders and the rest of the team either ignored them or argued with him. Calen’s reasoning was sound enough. He wanted to ally our team with the living enemies against the undead, who I later learned included the ghost of Horrace. The bitori one of Laeder’s fallen team members. Horrace died years ago. His ghost has been trapped in this cursed place.

I do not blame Dorak for not wanting to ally with the orcs. I see the impact his culture holds on them. It is a different type of hatred than Sir Laeder holds, but was clear to me that our dwarf would lose no sleep over killing them all. Iz’Alma, I think, has been living with her spirits too long, for it has warped her sensibilities. Cian once again proves himself a useful and valiant meat shield. Dorak is diligent with his duty to search out dangers. Falko is inspiring as usual. He also saw the need to bolster our courage against the undead. He kept Dorak from running off in fright.

All in all, the team works well together. There may be a need to counsel the team, regarding leadership.

To conclude, I have not seen Ervain since we went below. He usually does not make himself known, except when we are alone. He has not said a thing. I think perhaps he was frightened off by the undead. I am sure he will contact me if he is able. In any case, this post will be sent with the others when I get back to Stahl.